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VCHP Radiators for Lunar and Martian Environments

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNX08CC11P
Agency Tracking Number: 075522
Amount: $99,796.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: X11.01
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2007
Award Year: 2008
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2008-02-01
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2008-07-31
Small Business Information
1046 New Holland Avenue
Lancaster, PA 17601-5688
United States
DUNS: 126288336
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 William Anderson
 Principal Investigator
 (717) 295-6104
 bill.anderson@1-ACT.com
Business Contact
 Jon Zuo
Title: President
Phone: (717) 295-6058
Email: jon.zuo@1-ACT.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Long-term Lunar and Martian systems present challenges to thermal control systems, including changes in thermal load, and large changes in the thermal environment between Lunar (or Martian) day and night. The Lunar thermal environment typically includes long periods in extremely cold thermal environments. A variable conductance heat pipe (VCHP) radiator will be developed that passively accommodates the changing thermal load and environment. In a VCHP, a non-condensable gas is added that blocks a portion of the condenser. The gas charge blocks more of the condenser as the heat pipe evaporator temperature changes. This allows the heat pipe evaporators (and any attached heat exchanger) to remain at an almost constant temperature. In addition to passively controlling the thermal load, the gas allows the fluid in the heat pipe to freeze in a controlled fashion as the heat pipe is shut down, avoiding damage. In addition, the gas in the VCHP will help with start-up from a frozen condition.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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